Hair roller

ABSTRACT

The present invention is concerned with a hair roller. The hair roller has an inner shell, an outer shell, and a middle shell positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell, all of the inner, middle and outer shells having a cylindrical profile defining a through cavity.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from earlier filed GB Patent Application No. 1622079.0 filed Dec. 23, 2016, contents in its entirety are incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with an improved hair roller for use in hair styling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of styling tools in the market. One type of such tools is a hair roller which can be used to introduce body to hair and/or to change the volume of hair style. Hair rollers are often used with chemicals and other physical treatments during a hair styling process. One problem with such styling process is that it takes a rather long time, often hours before a hair style can be set. The time consumption is contributed by time required for the chemicals to work on the hair, and also time required for heat treatment. The long time required is not practical in many circumstances, for example in the show business which requires a hair style be set in a very short period of time.

Different hair rollers have been proposed which seek to address different hair styling needs. However, there is still desire in the material of a hair roller which can enhance or increase the efficiency of a hair styling process.

The present invention seeks to address these problems, or at least to provide an alternative to the public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair roller comprising an inner shell, an outer shell, and a middle shell positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell, all of the inner, middle and outer shells having a cylindrical profile defining a through cavity, wherein:

-   -   the inner, middle and outer shells are fixedly fitted connected         together, and are arranged telescopically with respect with each         other;     -   the inner shell, the middle shell and the outer shell are made         of a plastic(s) material, a Velcro containing material, and a         metallic material, respectively;     -   the hair roller, in an assembled configuration, is provided with         a plurality of cut-out regions from the metallic outer shell         thus exposing a combination of an outwardly facing metallic         surface defined by the outer shell and an outwardly facing         Velcro containing surface by the middle shell; and     -   the ratio of the outwardly facing metallic surface and the         outwardly facing

Velcro containing surface is substantially 50:50 to 70:30;

wherein the hair roller is provided with outwardly facing rim regions at opposite ends thereof, and the rim regions are exposed and not covered by the outer shell.

Preferably, the length and the diameter of the cylindrical hair roller may be from substantially 30-120 mm and 10-90 mm, respectively.

In an embodiment, the inner shell may be made of a material with a specific heat capacity of substantially 1800-2000 J/Kg-K. The inner shell may be made of a material with a thermal conductivity of substantially 0.1-0.22 W/m-K. The inner shell may be made of polypropylene or a polypropylene containing material.

In one embodiment, the middle shell may be made of a material with a specific heat capacity of substantially 850-1670 J/Kg-K. The middle shell may be made of a material with a thermal conductivity of substantially 0.2-6.3 W/m-K. The middle shell may be made of nylon, ceramics, or a nylon- or ceramics-containing material.

In another embodiment, the outer metallic shell may be made of a material with a specific heat capacity of substantially 412-913 J/Kg-K. The outer metallic shell may be made of a material with a thermal conductivity of substantially 43-205 W/m-K. The outer metallic shell may be made of stainless steel, brass, aluminium, or a combination thereof.

Suitably, the outer metallic shell may be made of aluminium and may have a thickness of substantially 0.5-0.6 mm.

In a specific embodiment, the ratio of the outwardly facing metallic surface and the outwardly facing Velcro containing surface may be substantially 60:40.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair roller comprising an inner shell, an outer shell, and a middle shell positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell, all of the inner, middle and outer shells having a cylindrical profile defining a through cavity, wherein:

-   -   the inner, middle and outer shells are fixedly fitted connected         together, and are arranged telescopically with respect with each         other;     -   the inner shell, the middle shell and the outer shell are made         of a plastic(s) material, a Velcro containing material, and a         metallic material, respectively;     -   the hair roller, in an assembled configuration, is provided with         a plurality of cut-out regions from the metallic outer shell         thus exposing a combination of an outwardly facing metallic         surface defined by the outer shell and an outwardly facing         Velcro containing surface by the middle shell; and     -   the ratio of the outwardly facing metallic surface and the         outwardly facing

Velcro containing surface is substantially 50:50 to 70:30;

wherein the inner shell, the middle shell, and the outer shell are made of materials with specific heat capacity of substantially 1800-200 J/Kg-K, 850-1670 J/Kg-K, and 412-913 J/Kg-K, respectively.

Preferably, the inner shell, the middle shell, and the outer shell may be made of materials with thermal conductivity of substantially 0.1-0.22 W/m-K, 0.2-6.3 W/m-K and 43-205 W/m-K, respectively.

Advantageously, the hair roller may be provided with outwardly facing rim regions at opposite ends thereof, and the rim regions are exposed and not covered by the outer shell.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair roller comprising an inner shell, an outer shell, and a middle shell positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell, all of the inner, middle and outer shells having a cylindrical profile defining a through cavity, wherein:

-   -   the inner, middle and outer shells are fixedly fitted connected         together, and are arranged telescopically with respect with each         other;     -   the inner shell, the middle shell and the outer shell are made         of a plastic(s) material, a Velcro containing material, and a         metallic material, respectively; and     -   the hair roller, in an assembled configuration, is provided with         a plurality of cut-out regions from the metallic outer shell         thus exposing a combination of an outwardly facing metallic         surface defined by the outer shell and an outwardly facing         Velcro containing surface defined by the middle shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention will now be explained, with reference to the accompanied drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a hair roller in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another side of the hair roller of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the roller of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates how the hair roller of FIG. 1 is assembled together;

FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 4 but in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 6 includes a side view of the hair roller and corresponding to FIG. 1, a cross sectional view of the hair roller taken at A-A of the side view, a cross sectional view of the hair roller taken at B-B of the side view, and an enlarges view showing a close-up area of an outwardly facing surface of the hair roller; and

FIG. 7 shows three different embodiments of hair roller in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is concerned with a hair styling tool and in particular a hair roller for use in, for example, creating style to hair or increase volume of hair configuration.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show are two different side views of an embodiment of a hair roller, designated 2. FIG. 3 shows the hair roller 2 in a disassembled configuration. The hair roller has an inner shell 4, a middle shell 6 and an outer shell 8. The middle shell 6 is slight larger than inner shell 4, and the outer shell 8 is slight larger than the middle shell 6. The shells 4, 6, 8 are dimensioned such that they can be telescopically fitted together. In this embodiment, the middle shell 6 is adhesively connected to the inner shell 4 and the outer shell is 8 connected to the middle shell 6 by way of a tight interference fit. Please see FIG. 4. However, in alternative embodiments, they may be connected together by way of welding.

The inner shell 4 is made of a heat resistant plastic(s) material. While the inner shell 4 generally adopts a cylindrical profile made of a circumferential wall 10 defining a through channel 12 and with openings at opposite ends 14, 16, the inner shell 4 is provided with large cut-out regions 18. As such, the remaining structure of the wall resembles a frame 20 rather than a continuous wall. In this embodiment, the inner shell 4 is made of a material with a specific heat capacity of substantially 1,900 J/Kg-K and a thermal conductivity of substantially 0.16 W/m-K and although studies leading to the present invention have shown that, in the context of the present invention, materials with a specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of substantially 1800-200 J/Kg-K and 0.1-0.22 W/m-K, respectively, can equally work.

The middle shell 6 has a similar dimension to that of the inner shell 4 except it is slightly larger. In this embodiment, the middle shell 6 is made of a Velcro-containing structure. This fabric material has the characteristic of providing a surface with small hooks such that when become contact with hair, it can hold the hair against its surface. In this embodiment, the structure has a base portion covered with a Velcro material. In other embodiment, it is possible that the entire middle structure be made of the Velcro material only. In the context of this description, the reference to “Velcro” encompasses any material has this hook or hair adhesive characteristic. In this embodiment, the specific heat capacity and the thermal conductivity of the middle shell are substantially 1260 J/Kg-K and 3.25 W/m-K, respectively, although studies leading to the present invention have shown that, in the context of the present invention, materials with a specific heat capacity and a thermal conductivity of substantially 850-1670 J/Kg-K and 0.2-6.3 W/m-K, respectively, would equally work.

The outer shell 8 has a similar dimension to that of the middle shell 6 except it is slightly larger. In this embodiment, the outer shell 8 is made of a metallic material with a specific heat capacity and a thermal conductivity of substantially 663 J/Kg-K and 43-205 W/m-K, respectively, although studies leading to the present invention have shown that, in the context of the present invention, materials with a specific heat capacity and a thermal conductivity of substantially 412-913 J/Kg-K and 43-205 W/m-K, respectively, would equally work. The thickness of the outer shell also plays a role. Preferably, as in this embodiment, the outer shell has a thickness of substantially 0.5-0.6 mm.

FIG. 5 illustrates that in an assembled configuration, the hair roller 2 defined a circumferential surface 22. The circumferential surface 22 is defined by a combination of a metallic surface 24 of the outer shell and an exposed Velcro surface 26 from the middle shell 6. This combination surface 24, 26 is resulted from the outer shell 8 provided with a plurality of cut-out regions 30 thus exposing the Velcro surface 26. Please see FIG. 4.

In this embodiment, the ratio of the outwardly metallic surface 24 and the exposed Velctro surface 26 is substantially 60:40, although studies have shown that in other embodiments, it may be substantially 50:50 to 70:30. It is also to be noted that end regions 32, 34 of the outwardly facing surface 22 of the hair roller 2 is defined by the Velcro surface 26.

FIG. 6 illustrate a close-up view of the outwardly surface of the hair roller 2.

FIG. 7 illustrates three different embodiment of hair rollers in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention contains a combination of technical features which contributes to an improved technical function. First, there is provided an outer shell made of a metallic material with specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity characteristics. Conventionally, an outer shell of a hair roller was often subject to high temperature and the outer shell would become very hot. As such, only non-metallic materials were used on the outer shell to reduce the temperature. Yet, in this context of the present invention, the use of a metallic material is counter-intuitive. The provision of the cut-out regions at the outer shell to a specific extent serves to reduce the area of the potentially very hot outer surface and also to expose the Velcro surface such that hair can wrap around the hair roller and be secured thereat. The present invention thus can balance at least factors including the efficiency of treating hair with hair rollers, safety, and securing of the hair rollers to the hair.

Studies leading to the present invention have shown that a hair roller made in accordance with the present invention can more effectively and efficiently treat hair. In particular, due to the provision of an outer metallic shell, not only the thermal conductivity of the hair roller has increase, the heat capacity of the hair roller has also increased when compared with a conventional hair roller with such outer metallic shell. Specifically, experiments have shown that the increase in heat capacity ranges from substantially 60.3% to 73.7% (average 67%). Together also with the increase in thermal conductivity, a hair treatment exercise can be expedited significantly.

It should be understood that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the content of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the content of a single embodiment, may be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations. It is to be noted that certain features of the embodiments are illustrated by way of non-limiting examples. Also, a skilled person in the art will be aware of the prior art which is not explained in the above for brevity purpose. 

1. A hair roller comprising: an inner shell, an outer shell, and a middle shell positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell, all of the inner, middle and outer shells having a cylindrical profile defining a through cavity, wherein: the inner, middle and outer shells are fixedly fitted connected together, and are arranged telescopically with respect with each other; the inner shell, the middle shell and the outer shell are made of a plastic(s) material, a hook or hair adhesive material, and a metallic material, respectively; the hair roller, in an assembled configuration, is provided with a plurality of cut-out regions from the metallic outer shell thus exposing a combination of an outwardly facing metallic surface defined by the outer shell and an outwardly facing surface including the hook or hair adhesive material of the middle shell; and the ratio of the outwardly facing metallic surface and the outwardly facing surface including the hook or hair adhesive material is substantially 50:50 to 70:30, and wherein the hair roller is provided with outwardly facing rim regions at opposite ends thereof, and the rim regions are exposed and not covered by the outer shell.
 2. A hair roller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length and the diameter of the cylindrical hair roller is from substantially 30-120 mm and 10-90 mm, respectively.
 3. A hair roller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner shell is made of a material with a specific heat capacity of substantially 1800-2000 J/Kg-K.
 4. A hair roller as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inner shell is made of a material with a thermal conductivity of substantially 0.1-0.22 W/m-K.
 5. A hair roller as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inner shell is made of polypropylene or a polypropylene containing material.
 6. A hair roller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the middle shell is made of a material with a specific heat capacity of substantially 850-1670 J/Kg-K.
 7. A hair roller as claimed in claim 6, wherein the middle shell is made of a material with a thermal conductivity of substantially 0.2-6.3 W/m-K.
 8. A hair roller as claimed in claim 7, wherein the middle shell is made of nylon, ceramics, or a nylon or ceramics containing material.
 9. A hair roller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer metallic shell is made of a material with a specific heat capacity of substantially 412-913 J/Kg-K.
 10. A hair roller as claimed in claim 9, wherein the outer metallic shell is made of a material with a thermal conductivity of substantially 43-205 W/m-K.
 11. A hair roller as claimed in claim 10, wherein the outer metallic shell is made of stainless steel, brass, aluminium, or a combination thereof.
 12. A hair roller as claimed in claim 11, wherein the outer metallic shell is made of aluminium and has a thickness of substantially 0.5-0.6 mm.
 13. A hair roller as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio of the outwardly facing metallic surface and the outwardly facing surface including the hook or hair adhesive material is substantially 60:40.
 14. A hair roller comprising: an inner shell, an outer shell, and a middle shell positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell, all of the inner, middle and outer shells having a cylindrical profile defining a through cavity, wherein: the inner, middle and outer shells are fixedly fitted connected together, and are arranged telescopically with respect with each other; the inner shell, the middle shell and the outer shell are made of a plastic(s) material, a hook or hair adhesive material, and a metallic material, respectively; the hair roller, in an assembled configuration, is provided with a plurality of cut- out regions from the metallic outer shell thus exposing a combination of an outwardly facing metallic surface defined by the outer shell and an outwardly facing surface including the hook or hair adhesive material of the middle shell; and the ratio of the outwardly facing metallic surface and the outwardly facing surface including the hook or hair adhesive material is substantially 50:50 to 70:30, and wherein the inner shell, the middle shell, and the outer shell are made of materials with specific heat capacity of substantially 1800-200 J/Kg-K, 850-1670 J/Kg-K, and 412-913 J/Kg-K, respectively.
 15. A hair roller as claimed in claim 14, wherein the inner shell, the middle shell, and the outer shell are made of materials with thermal conductivity of substantially 0.1-0.22 W/m-K, 0.2-6.3 W/m-K and 43-205 W/m-K, respectively.
 16. A hair roller as claimed in claim 14, wherein the hair roller is provided with outwardly facing rim regions at opposite ends thereof, and the rim regions are exposed and not covered by the outer shell.
 17. A hair roller comprising: an inner shell, an outer shell, and a middle shell positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell, all of the inner, middle and outer shells having a cylindrical profile defining a through cavity, wherein: the inner, middle and outer shells are fixedly fitted connected together, and are arranged telescopically with respect with each other; the inner shell, the middle shell and the outer shell are made of a plastic(s) material, a a hook or hair adhesive material, and a metallic material, respectively; and the hair roller, in an assembled configuration, is provided with a plurality of cut-out regions from the metallic outer shell thus exposing a combination of an outwardly facing metallic surface defined by the outer shell and an outwardly facing surface including the hook or hair adhesive material of the middle shell. 